Frustrated by repeated stolen mail, California woman uses location-tracking Apple AirTags to locate her package thief

In a Californian town, where a relentless mail thief had been wreaking havoc, one resident decided to fight back with a bit of tech-savvy ingenuity. Fed up with her packages disappearing from her post office box, the woman turned to an unlikely hero: the Apple AirTag. This coin-sized gadget, typically used to keep track of personal items like keys, wallets, or even pets, was now at the centre of a real-life whodunit.

The woman ingeniously placed the AirTag inside a package and mailed it to herself, knowing it would likely be stolen. When the thief struck again, she quickly informed the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office, who tracked the AirTag to a location in Santa Maria.
The perpetrators’ house was located a whopping 26 kilometres from the post office. After arresting two suspects, law enforcement recovered the stolen package, along with items from more than a dozen other victims.

What is an AirTag?

Apple's AirTag, launched in 2021, is a small, disc-shaped tracking device that can be attached to almost anything you want to keep tabs on. It works through Apple's "Find My" network, which uses a combination of Bluetooth signals and the vast network of Apple devices to help locate lost items. The device itself doesn't have GPS but relies on nearby iPhones, iPads, and Macs to anonymously relay its location to the owner.
If the item the AirTag attached to goes missing, the owner can use an app to see its last known location on a map. If the item is within Bluetooth range, the AirTag can play a sound to help you locate it. In cases where it's further away, any Apple device within proximity can pick up the signal and update its location anonymously, sending that information back to the owner.

The AirTag is powered by a standard CR2032 coin cell battery, which lasts about a year before needing to be replaced — making it perfect if you’re planning on any similar long-term sting operations. In India, the AirTag is priced at approximately Rs 3,000 for a single unit, with a pack of four available for around Rs 11,000.
The success of this plan highlights not just the power of technology but also the creativity in using everyday devices in unexpected ways. This story might just inspire others to think outside the box — or rather, inside it — when it comes to protecting their property.